Who Should Enroll

Feel the need for practical brewing education and training as part of a plan to open a brewery of their own

Wish to advance to a higher position in the brewing industry

Prerequisites

While a degree is not required for acceptance to this program, successful completion of at least one college level math course and one college level science course in the subject areas listed below are required. Applicants must be able to provide transcripts documenting the math requirement and at least one additional subject area.

Mathematics: Pre-Calculus or Algebra

and at least one from the following list:

Biological Sciences:Microbiology, Cell Physiology, or Biochemistry

Chemistry: General college chemistry which must include organic, inorganic and analytical

Physics: Heat and mechanics or process control

Engineering: Topics in mechanical or chemical engineering

Candidates must be able to devote 5 weeks full time to an unpaid apprenticeship in a brewery at the end of the class.

During the 5 week apprenticeship program, you must be able to perform the following tasks in the brewery environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
•While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit for long periods of time, stand, walk, use a computer and other office equipment.
•Ability to frequently sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and climb.
•Ability to frequently talk, hear, and smell.
•Ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 55 lbs.
•Ability to frequently reach with hands and arms. Use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
•Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.
•Must be able to participate in critical assessment of beers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
•Work is primarily performed in operational areas.
•The work environment is usually that of a brewery.
•The employee regularly works with hazardous materials.
•The employee works on wet floors and with wet equipment.
•The employee regularly works around high voltage, hot water, and steam.
•The employee frequently must work in a sanitary environment.

Course Objectives

The Craftbrewers Apprenticeship Program prepares candidates for positions as brewers in brewpubs and microbreweries throughout the U.S. The program combines intensive classroom instruction with hands-on brewery experience.

The 28-week program is comprised of 22 weeks of intensive formal instruction in brewing science (e.g. chemistry and microbiology) and engineering, followed by a single week spent at a working brewery, then five weeks of practical on-site training as a working brewer at a host brewery with a selected Guild approved mentor. A win-win-situation, the employers appreciate the help and the grads get a valuable chance to put their knowledge to work.

Brewers who complete the program will understand and be able to perform all operations in a brewery. A diploma will be presented to all those candidates who successfully complete the program.

The residential week is held at Drop In Brewing Company, Middlebury, VT.